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Syracuse Crunch veteran additions feel like new kids on the block again

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Wilkes-Barre/Scranton defenseman Joey Mormina, left, tried to chase down Syracuse Crunch forward Brett Connolly last year. After signing with Tampa Bay as a free agent in the off-season, Mormina will now likely be patrolling the ice for the Syracuse Crunch.
(Mike Greenlar | mgreenlar@syracuse.com)

New Syracuse Crunch forward Evan Rankin has been a pro since the 2008-09 season, bumping around three different minor leagues since that time.

But at Tampa Bay's training camp now, he considers himself a rookie in at least one sense. This is the first time he's skated in an NHL camp.

"You know it's going to be hard work right off the get go. It's going to be a fun thing to be a part of,'' he said. "It's about figuring out what you need to do within the structure of a team. Being a veteran, I understand I need to do specific things to fit in.''

Rankin, 27, is one of three established free agents who must solve that puzzle as they make dramatic career changes by joining the Lightning organization this year. Rankin played the last two seasons with Crunch rival Rochester, producing 14 goals and 17 assists in 48 games for the Amerks last season.

Defenseman Joey Mormina, 31, comes to the team after most recently leading the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton defense and battling the Crunch in last season's playoffs.

Power forward Geoff Walker, 25, played for Lake Erie last season and two years ago he went 18-26 for Wilkes-Barre/Scranton.

"My preparation hasn't really changed. But I guess your mindset is a little different going to a new team,'' Mormina said. "You only have one chance to make a good first impression. I want to be myself on and off the ice, at the same time, fit in with the group. I think the focus is just working hard. Attitude and work ethic shouldn't change just based on the new environment.''

All three players come to the organization with reputations as solid team guys, and Tampa Bay won't toss even a spare nickel at newcomers who might not dovetail into the locker room. The Lightning's minor-league chemistry the past two seasons has been spot on, helping to win a Calder Cup in Norfolk two seasons ago and an Eastern Conference title with the Crunch last year.

Walker, Mormina and Rankin have proven, valued hockey skills, but their bigger challenge remains figuring out how to work their established personalities into the Crunch mix.

"They were they competitors. Now they will be your close friend,'' Rankin said of his former rivals. "Everyone needs to make their own individual contributions. That only adds to the betterment of the team.''

Walker got a head start by arriving in Tampa early and skating with a handful of his new organizational peers.

"It's different when you walk into the new locker room with guys you don't know,'' he said. "Hockey players are good. We've all been through it (transition) ourselves. They are really good at welcoming you. There's always nerves when you go to NHL camp. But that usually goes out the window pretty quick.''

Mormina skated with several Tampa Bay players in the Montreal area during the off-season, including P.C. Labrie, Mark Baberio, Andrej Sustr, J.P. Cote and Danick Gauthier. Mormina said the topic of Syracuse's win over the Penguins in the Eastern Conference Finals last year did not come up.

"There wasn't really any jabs thrown quite yet,'' Mormina said. "I'm sure once practice starts, there will be a few chirps here and there.''

Walker, former teammates with Mormina in Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, said the blueliner can hold his own in that department.

"Mormina is one of the best chirpers around,'' Walker said. "I'm maybe not as quick-witted as him. But I'll get after it.''

Walker has a different sort of history with veteran Syracuse captain Mike Angelidis. They are both irritable grinders, and Walker said he and Angelidis have dropped the mitts at least three times as foes.

"I think we're pretty even,'' Walker said of the results. "I think I had one (win). I'll give him two. You kind of try to leave that stuff on the ice as much as you can.''

Mormina, too, has been a frequent anti-Crunch agitator. But as combative as Syracuse's newest veterans might have been as foes, they understand their smartest move now will be to step aside and let the Crunch's elders like Angelidis and Cote continue to set the tone here.

"Whatever they are doing is working,'' Walker said. "Just follow their lead, go from there. They know what it takes to win. They know what they are doing.''